Is Your Towing Ruining Your Transmission?

Minit-Tune & Brake| Friday, July 31, 2015

Now that the weather is warm and kids are out of school, more Canadians are strapping up their boats and trailers and hitting the open road. While you may not think much of it, towing, even for short distances, can do significant damage to your vehicle’s transmission. Not all towing has to be detrimental, however. In fact, as long as you maintain your vehicle and do not commit common towing errors, you can ensure you do not cause any costly damage to your transmission.

Towing and Your Transmission

Imagine running a marathon in the height of summer without enough hydration along the way—your body will be dehydrated and cannot function optimally. You may even suffer exhaustion and collapse from not having sufficient fluid levels in your body. It’s the same with your vehicle. If towing a trailer or boat, your vehicle will be working harder due to the excess weight. While towing, fluids inside your vehicle’s engine and transmission become heated, which creates a pressure cooker-like effect. This can harden and seal up metal components. It is best if you take your vehicle in for auto repair in Vancouver and have all fluid levels checked to ensure they are clean and adequate for towing.

Common Towing Mistakes that Damage a Transmission and Your Vehicle

Not Paying Attention to Ratings - A vehicle has a maximum tow rating. If you overload your vehicle with a trailer that is too heavy and exceeds the recommended weight, it can lead to a whole host of issues. These problems may include broken suspensions, overheated transmissions and failing brake systems.

Not Checking Tire Pressure - Tires should be properly inflated anytime you go on a long road trip, and especially before towing a trailer. Under-inflated or over-inflated tires create friction, and force your vehicle to work harder than necessary to get moving. You may even run the risk of a tire blowout.

Manual versus Automatic Transmissions - Manual transmissions often perform better than automatic transmissions. When towing with an automatic, be sure to not use your cruise control and pay attention to acceleration. If you attempt to accelerate too fast, it can easily overheat your transmission while towing.

Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres can help ensure your transmission fluid levels are adequate and able to cool your vehicle. Bring your vehicle in for auto repair in Langley, Vancouver or another location closer to you or schedule a transmission check-up today so that we can help you get on the road this summer without any worry. Visit one of our convenient locations throughout B.C. and Alberta now.

Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres Address Common Issues

Here at Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres in British Columbia, we’re always pleased to help our customers get the most out of their cars and trucks. To that end, we’ll add a relevant blog topic from time to time to keep you up to date and getting the most out of your vehicle.